(WBEN/AP) Republicans from across New York State have gathered in Westchester County to nominate Rob Astorino for Governor, and to select other candidates to run at the top of the statewide ticket.

Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) is expected to place Astorino's name in nomination Thursday afternoon.

"Chris and Rob developed a relationship quite a while back, when.. Chris was a county executive and Rob was running for county executive and Chris was very helpful to his candidacy as he was getting off the ground in Westchester County," says Erie County GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy.

"Both (are) very similar mindset guys.They worked very hard to transform the government of their particular counties and really make the reform that had the taxpayer in mind," Langworthy said.

The GOP candidates for attorney general and comptroller have already been nominated. John Cahill, a former top advisor to George Pataki, was unanimously nominated as the Republican candidate for New York State Attorney General.

Earlier Wednesday, Robert Antonacci received a unanimous nomination as the GOP candidate for New York State Comptroller. He currently serves as the comptroller for Onondaga County.

Although Republicans haven't won a statewide election since 2002, the chairman of the state GOP believes now is the time for the Republican Party.

"The democrats have three governors, and two attorney generals and two comptrollers, they've had eight years to do something about this state. We're still dead last, 50th, as far as being business friendly. We're still the highest taxed state in the United States, we're still the most regulated state in the United States. It's time for a change, it's our time now," said Ed Cox, the chairman of the New York State Republican Party.

On the second day of the convention, Rob Astorino will officially be nominated as the GOP candidate for governor.

Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor in 2010, said he was skeptical of Astorino at first. However, he quickly changed his mind.

"I was a novice. Rob, he's run before. He's demonstrated his ability to run. He won in an overwhelmingly democratic area. He appeals to the middle of the road element in the state, I think that element has been driven out now, and has been driven to a new awakening by the Cuomo adminstration," said Paladino.

The convention will wrap up on Thursday.

The GOP candidates for attorney general and comptroller have already been nominated. John Cahill, a former top advisor to George Pataki, was unanimously nominated as the Republican candidate for New York State Attorney General.

Later in the day, Robert Antonacci received a unanimous nomination as the GOP candidate for New York State Comptroller. He currently serves as the comptroller for Onondaga County.

Although Republicans haven't won a statewide election since 2002, the chairman of the state GOP believes now is the time for the Republican Party.

"The democrats have three governors, and two attorney generals and two comptrollers, they've had eight years to do something about this state. We're still dead last, 50th, as far as being business friendly. We're still the highest taxed state in the United States, we're still the most regulated state in the United States. It's time for a change, it's our time now," said Ed Cox, the chairman of the New York State Republican Party.

On the second day of the convention, Rob Astorino will officially be nominated as the GOP candidate for governor.

Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor in 2010, said he was skeptical of Astorino at first. However, he quickly changed his mind.

"I was a novice. Rob, he's run before. He's demonstrated his ability to run. He won in an overwhelmingly democratic area. He appeals to the middle of the road element in the state, I think that element has been driven out now, and has been driven to a new awakening by the Cuomo adminstration," said Paladino.

The convention will wrap up on Thursday.

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